Distance indicator for archery

ABSTRACT

A distance indicator that can be used in conjunction with archery sight systems. This distance indicator is used to help determine which sight pin to use when shooting from an elevated position and does not interfere with the archers regular sights when shooting from a flat surface. Our invention is a counter-weighted wheel that rotates on a solid axle. The curved surface of the wheel will receive marks that are relative to given distances that are previously established by the user. As part of the aggregate there is an adjustable pointer that slides up and down on the attachment point which the wheel is mounted. This pointer shall incorporate a setscrew to fix it to a particular location determined by the user. This distance indicator can be manufactured into an archery sight guard. The Distance Indicator can be manufactured as a separate unit that can be attached to the bow or other archery components. Being gravity operated, the distance indicator rotates as the shooter changes declination in response to the location and distance of the target. Once the pointer has been fixed, it indicates distance relative to the marks on the wheel.

[0001] References Cited U.S. Patent Documents 4400887 August 1983 Mason 33/265 4580349 April 1986 Webb 33/265 4616422 October 1986 Gaddy 33/265 4894921 January 1990 Barlow 33/265 4974328 December 1990 Lowery 33/265 5253423 October 1993 Sullivan 33/265 5975069 November 1999 Hamm 124/87; 33/265 6061919 May 2000 Richert 33/265 6079111 June 2000 Williams 33/265 6134794 October 2000 Raukola 33/265 6145208 November 2000 Savage 33/265

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to a mechanical distance indicator for archery.

BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0003] There has been a long-standing need for bow hunters hunting from tree stands to be able to judge the distance to their targets. Numerous bow sights are on the market today using several pins for sighting at different distances. None of these sights have the ability to help the archer determine which pin to use. Numerous bow sights are on the market today that use a pendulum to sight your target from an elevated tree stand. These sights for the most part are not effective when the archer is at ground level because of the rotating action of the pendulum.

[0004] In an attempt to eliminate distance estimation, numerous combinations of sights and range finders have been proposed. One such device is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,166 issued to Knemeyer. The Knemeyer patent shows a sight pin positioned between a top range finder pin and a bottom range finder pin which are moved together or apart to frame the target. As the top and bottom range finder pins are moved to frame the target, the sight pin travels along a vertical path to a position where the proper trajectory is obtained when the sight pin is aligned with the target.

[0005] Another attempt for a bow sight and range finder is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,666,368 issued to Sprandel. The Sprandel patent consists of an attachment having a vertical slide on which two horizontal sight bars are attached. When moved in spaced relation, the archer is able to sight the target between them. A pivoted finger piece on the slide is manually manipulated to vertically adjust the sight bars. These two examples must be manually adjusted while the bow is held on target. In the case of drawing on game animals, there might not be enough time to accomplish this before the animal spooks.

[0006] Another attempt to provide range/sight assistance is U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,349 issued to Webb. The Webb patent consists of a pendulum member affixed to the frame to which the sight pins are attached and a bent pendulum needle pointing at marks on a range bar. The problem with this particular patent is that the pointer cannot be adjusted and the range bar hides the sight pins and blocks the archer's field of view.

[0007] Still another attempt to provide range/sight assistance is U.S. Pat. No.4,616,422 issued to Gaddy. Gaddy shows a counter-weighted wheel with an adjustable sight pin, which is employed with a conventional sighting system. When hunting from an elevated position, the sight pin on the counter-weighted wheel is lined up with existing sight pins for the shot. The potential problems with this system is if the target was not at an exact 20,30,40 yards, i.e. 35 yards, then the sight on the wheel and the stationary sight might not line up. Also if the archer is shooting from a level position then the sight on the wheel is dangling in front of the stationary sight pins possibly distracting the archer from making a good shot.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the distance indicator according to the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 2 is a top view illustrating one example of how the adjustable pointer could be affixed to the distance indicator.

[0010]FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional view of the distance indicator (not to scale) mounted into a sight guard.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0011] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the distance indicator comprises a gravity operated counter-weighted wheel 1 that is attached to a sight pin guard 3 by means of a solid axle 2 and a adjustable pointer 5. This embodiment is illustrated in various views, where like reference numerals denote like parts or features throughout the different views.

[0012] The counter-weighted wheel 1 rotates freely on the solid axle 2 by means of a bearing, bushing or machined surface 4 inside the counter-weighted wheel 1. The counter-weighted wheel 1 will receive marks 6 of predetermined spacing that will be used to determine given distances as the counter-weighted wheel 1 rotates due to changes in declination.

[0013] An adjustable pointer 5 is attached to the sight pin guard 3 by means of a slot, dovetail groove or raised track so that the pointer 5 can slide freely. The pointer 5 can be adjusted by the user and then fixed by means of a setscrew 8 to define the point of range established by the user. 

We claim:
 1. A distance indicator for archery bows comprising: gravity operated counter-weighted wheel that rotates on a solid axle or axis as the archer change degrees of declination, said wheel-having marks of predetermined spacing incorporated on the curved surface of the wheel facing the archer. a pointer that is adjusted by the user then tightened down by means of a setscrew. The host of the pointer is a groove or raised track, or similar receptive male/female type connection. 